Shopping

One of the most popular craft products in Siracusa is papyrus paper: the area around the Ciane River is the only one in Italy where this rare, valuable plant grows.
Paper is still made from papyrus today, following ancient methods that were invented many centuries ago by the Egyptians. The paper can be bought plain, or painted, with subjects that are mostly of Greek or Egyptian inspiration. It is possible to follow the processing of papyrus paper in some shops, starting from the stalks of the plant and finishing with the paper.
Other typical objects that can be found in Siracusas shops are gold or other less precious metal copies of ancient Siracusa coins that were used in the era when the city was compared to Athens and Carthage for its size and power.
The local pottery, sold in the characteristic laboratories-workshops so frequent in this part of Sicily is also worth looking at.
If you prefer to take home some food and drink as a souvenir, for yourself or for some relatives and friends, we recommend a bottle of Nero dAvola or Moscato di Siracusa, or a jar of the famous fish preserves that are made in the Siracusa area: choice fillets of tuna fish or mackerel in oil, packaged in glass jars.